Interior ministry rejects criticism of Khanani and Kalia case reopening

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, commenting about Khanani and Kalia case, said on Monday that it is quite unfortunate that some circles continue indulging in unnecessary criticism and finding faults in every effort initiated in the national interest and with all good intentions.

The interior minister’s spokesperson said the case in point is re-inquiry of Khanani and Kalia case. The spokesperson said that during his press conference, the minister had presented some facts regarding Khanani and Kalia case. “Ignoring the whole statement of the interior minister and just focusing on few words and then asserting that the minister instead of presenting new facts should do something tantamount to wilfully ignoring ground realities of the case,” said the spokesperson, adding, “Such circles should go through on-ground facts so that they have at least some idea of the on-ground situation. As pointed out by the minister during his press conference, Khanani and Kalia case is ten years old. Negligence by the past rulers, wilful weak inquiry and prosecution and destruction of record resulted in acquittal in the case.”

The spokesperson said the then-government did not bother to pursue the case any further. “The case came to notice of the interior minister only when one of the owners of Khanani and Kalia exchange company was convicted in US. It should be kept in mind that the issue of double jeopardy obstructed revival of the matter,” the spokesperson said. “Secondly, when the entire record, especially the digital record including relevant computers, servers and other equipment was handed back to the same company who was facing these charges then understandably the space to revive the case and dig out facts is shrunk to a great extent.”

Besides all these hurdles, the spokesperson said, a sincere effort has been made after various legal consultations to re-initiate the inquiry with a new dimension and angle.  “Since all financial transactions involved foreign countries, therefore, assistance has been sought from UK, US and UAE. The main company involved in major transactions, namely Al-Zarooni, is based in UAE. In view of the above, it is imperative to clarify that reviving a case where evidences have been destroyed or removes and those who were actively involved into it have been retired is a difficult task,” said the spokesperson. 

“But since the case involves transactions worth billions of rupees, therefore, a sincere effort is being made to revive the case. Those who are into raising doubts and are involved into unnecessary criticism are requested to guide and assist us so that the issue could be taken to its logical and just conclusion as per the law,” said the spokesperson.